this conversation takes place the morning after the centipede fight and a private conversation between T and Erin (Fraz, do you have that dialogue so we can post it?)

After his morning practice T'Riad sees Erinalia and approaches her, "Erinalia, wait! I was thinking about our conversation last night and I was thinking that learning your ways of herbs would do me little good unless I knew how to use them for healing. Would it be too much to ask that you teach me that art as well? I know that I ask much but it would help me achieve my goal of balance. And of course if there is anything that I could teach you I would be happy too. Maybe on our hunt for these plants we could keep a record of them for everyone else."

With a big smile T'Riad glances over at Erinalia and says,"I could certainly teach you these skills. What's more, I'd be glad to. It'll sharpen my skills as well. The best way to learn something is to teach it. We'll start tomorrow morning. I'll be up just before daybreak and be practicing my mind focus...you're to join me and I'll teach you. If you like you can join me on my run but I know that at some point you'll want commune with the land. When I or we, as the case may be, return from the run I'll then exercise you in my Katas...the defensive aspect at least. Remember, just before daybreak in the south part of the camp. If your not there I'll start without you."

T'Riad looks back towards camp and then replies, "you're right we should go see what the others are up to. They're going to be looking for us" T'Riad grabs his hand axes and walks with Erinalia towards the camp moving in his Kata style

"What forest did you grow up in? I'm from a deep part of Rieuwood Forest. When i left my home i wanted to see the ocean. I had always read about it but until you see it for yourself...well, it was more than i ever could have imagined. When we set sail for this island it made me nervous being in water with no land in sight. i really began to miss the trees. My only way to still my nerves until i got used to it was my meditation and routines. The crossing must have been equally difficult for you i would imagine."

T'Riad looks about listening. He bends down and starts to draw in the sand with his finger. Quietly he says, "My Master once told me that fear can kill your mind. It causes your thoughts to become cloudy and makes you do things in desperation and haste. Actions in desperation will lend itself to bad judgements. The trick is letting the fear pass through and away from you." T'Riad continues drwing in the sand. "As we become familiar with this place and it becomes more our home it will be less frightening. Adaptation Erinalia...adaptation. That's the key to survival. Such is the way of nature, such is the way of balance." after he's done speaking he makes on last line in the sand. He has drawn a symbol of a five pointed star with a series of circles around it. He looks at his signet ring with the same symbol. He looks back at Erinalia and removes the ring from his finger and motions for her to look at it. "This is the symbol of my Order. My Master took me in when he found me as an infant in the woods. The day he told me that he witnessed my parents die and let it happen I was afraid that the elf that had essentially been the only father I had known would be someone that I would hate. I tore off into the surrounding woods for days trying to wrap my mind around this deceit. After days of wandering i realized that it was this same elf that protected and taught me all of those years. Then I understood and I was no longer afraid. Be careful not to let your fear control you. It will be your undoing."

as you may have guessed, that's why T'Riad and Erin speak in private :wink:

T'Riad raises his eyebrows in slight surprise and says, "Oh, i didn't realize...I didn't mean to embarress you. If it makes you feel any better, I also grew up in seclusion away from the outside world. My order, The Order of the Eight, sees everyone as part of everything else. So, they accept everyone. In the monastary there were folks from all walks and races. Because we lived together we had to overcome our differences. Truth be told, we celebrated our distinctions. Still, much of what I've seen is all very new to me. Interacting with others outside of the monastary is still a bit awkward. I'm used to routines and order. Here I have to adapt to the changes. The ability for things to survive is their adaptability to the inevitable change. You'll eventually overcome your social clumsiness...you'll adapt. Such is the way of Nature, such is the way of Balance." T'Riad looks around taking in the sights of the jungle around him and the morning activity of the encampment. he looks back at Erinalia and asks, "what do you suppose is out there?" as he nods his head back sideways. "there's many rumors surrounding this place. one has proved true in regards to the fishmen. What feel do you get from being here?"